1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Reviews - Page 2 of 9

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

This is one of the greatest sport compacts from the age of sport compacts, and still competent today

Faults:

My 02 sensor is dying

Cracked valve cover (replaced under warranty)

Failed piston oil seals (replaced under warranty)

Ran over large rock which dented oil pan (replaced under warranty)

General Comments:

A true modern classic.

I purchased this as my first car and still love it, and am actively modifying and tinkering with it.

It is great fun to drive, although it does drink a lot of fuel when driven with "passion." The engine is great, with a lot of...grunt. For those of us with the automatic model, the tranny lets you turn off the overdrive giving more aggressive shift points. In addition, there are several excellent upgrades on the market that bring the AT's performance up quite a few notches. The engine has little turbo lag, although the stock turbo is limiting. With regard to upgrades, very large turbos will increase the lag by a lot. Out of the stock turbo, one can get 15 psi with a boost controller--this is the limit of the stock fuel system and the turbocharger itself.

The exterior styling is gorgeous, and soemthing I won't ever ruin with idiotic body kits and the like, although I do reccomend new wheels... the stock ones are easily damaged. The large wing fits well wit the car, although it does add a blind spot.

The interior falls in line with what a sports car's should be. By that, I mean the car wraps around the driver once he/she enters. The controls are simple and easy to use, and it is quite comfortable up front. The back seats should not be used for anything, but a briefcase or napsack.

The awd aids in poor weather and snow, and eliminates nasty torque steer that its gs-t and current relative suffer from. It is great fun to drive fast, and still holds it's own today. Also, it is quite rare.

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

I love it!!

Faults:

Lifter rattle.

Valve knock.

Alternator.

Oil pressure gauge not working.

Rear driver window doesn't line-up after being put down.

General Comments:

I love this. People can't believe I traded an '80 Z-28 camaro with t-tops for this. It's a convertible and the 2.0 turbo is lots of fun. Meets my needs, easier for 5 year old to get in and out of. Why do they have lifter rattles? I met another owner with the same problem...

8th Apr 2006, 13:58

The lifter tick is a problem that a lot of eclipses have. people usually also have a problem with leaking, usually from the valve cover. the constant strain on the engine from the turbo is what I think causes these problems. althought they exist, they are not major. I have a 97 gst convertible, and it ticks. I threw a little thicker oil to quite it up, that usually solves most the problem.

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST Spyder Turbocharged from North America

Summary:

Ridiculously fun car, if one is willing to keep up with the maintenance

Faults:

Immediately after purchase, the turbocharger gave way. This problem was misdiagnosed by Mitsubishi Motors at two locations in Edmonton and led to further damage to the engine. A new turbocharger and engine clean and repair costs came to 2700 Canadian dollars, ouch.

This problem was partially due to the previous owner who had heavily modified the engine and had the car running at 300hp plus, overworking the turbo at around 15 psi.

General Comments:

Beautiful car with tons of sport features. Great fun to drive now that the major problem with the turbo has been solved. For a car that I purchased for 15000 Canadian dollars, I can keep up with cars of much much higher value.

The cars front seats are abnormally comfortable for such a small car, the only downside to this is a ridiculously small back seat (especially in the Spyder convertible).

Even though it is approaching 10 years of age, this car still turns many heads, especially when racing around the city.

I commonly get asked f it is a brand new vehicle, previous owner took great care of the vehicle and it looks new.

Although it is a whole lot less fun to drive on the Canadian winter roads, in the summer with the top down, it is loads of fun.